First-Time Shooters
No previous handgun experience is required. Learn safe handling, operation, loading and unloading, shooting fundamentals, range procedures, and responsible firearm ownership in a patient, respectful environment.
Colorado Concealed Carry & Pistol Training
Confidence Through Competence.
Colorado concealed-carry training for first-time permit applicants, experienced shooters, new handgun owners, and current permit holders needing refresher training. If you are searching for a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit class, Colorado CCW class, or Colorado concealed carry training, start here.
All Experience LevelsColorado-FocusedSafety-FirstLive-Fire Training
Questions or Ready to Train?
Contact Plain Sight directly.
For class dates, Colorado concealed carry training questions, renewal training, or help choosing the right CHP track, call, text, or email and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Who We Teach
Training that meets you where you are.
You do not need to be an expert — or a beginner — to benefit from good training. Plain Sight welcomes students ranging from people handling a handgun for the first time to experienced shooters who want current Colorado-focused concealed carry education.
Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Applicants
Complete structured classroom and live-fire training designed around Colorado CHP training requirements while developing the knowledge and judgment that responsible carry requires.
Experienced Shooters
Already comfortable with a handgun? Choose the Experienced Shooter track to cover required safety and fundamentals efficiently while going deeper on Colorado law, judgment, avoidance, de-escalation, and practical concealed carry.
Renewing Permit Holders
Update your knowledge of Colorado firearm laws, reinforce safe gun-handling habits, demonstrate handgun competence, and complete qualifying renewal training.
Colorado Initial CHP Training
Two tracks. The same Colorado CHP qualification.
Both courses satisfy the training requirements for an initial Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit. Foundations provides additional hands-on instruction for newer shooters. Experienced Shooter assumes existing handgun proficiency and uses more instructional time for law, judgment, de-escalation, threat recognition and practical concealed-carry scenarios.
Colorado CHP Foundations
Complete Colorado Initial CHP Course — beginner-friendly
Designed for students with limited handgun experience or anyone who wants a more deliberate, hands-on approach. This complete Colorado initial CHP course covers all required safety, firearm, legal, defensive-decision and live-fire subjects, with additional coaching in handgun operation, safe handling, loading and unloading, grip, sights, trigger control, range procedures and shooting fundamentals.
Best for: New shooters • New handgun owners • Occasional shooters • Anyone wanting additional hands-on coaching
Explore CHP FoundationsColorado CHP Experienced Shooter
Complete Colorado Initial CHP Course — for experienced handgun owners
Designed for experienced recreational shooters and handgun owners who can safely load, unload, clear, operate, and fire their handgun without instructor assistance. This course satisfies the same Colorado initial CHP requirements as the Foundations track. Required firearm safety, handling, shooting, storage, and legal subjects are fully covered, while the experienced audience allows greater instructional depth in practical carry, judgment, de-escalation, Colorado law, defensive decision-making, and real-world concealed-carry scenarios.
Best for: Experienced handgun owners • Regular range shooters • Long-time recreational shooters
Recommended prerequisite: You should already be comfortable safely loading, unloading, clearing, operating and firing your handgun without instructor assistance.
Not sure? Choose Foundations.
Explore CHP Experienced ShooterOur Approach
Safety. Knowledge. Judgment. Competence.
Learning to shoot is only one part of carrying a firearm responsibly. Our training combines practical handgun competence with Colorado-specific education and thoughtful defensive decision-making.
Build safe firearm competence
Safe handling, ammunition, loading and unloading, storage, and shooting fundamentals taught at a depth appropriate to your experience.
Knowledge
Colorado concealed carry requirements, firearm laws, restricted locations, transportation and storage considerations, use-of-force principles, and interaction with law enforcement.
Judgment
Situational awareness, conflict avoidance, de-escalation, escape options, third-party considerations, and thoughtful shoot/no-shoot decision-making.
Competence
Practical handgun handling, shooting fundamentals, written competency testing, live-fire exercises, and safe performance under instructor supervision.
Defensive Preparation
The encounter is only part of the story.
Responsible defensive preparation begins long before a firearm is needed and continues after the immediate danger has ended. We help students think through the entire timeline.
Before
Situational awareness, avoidance, de-escalation, safe carry, responsible storage, understanding where you may carry, and recognizing situations that can be prevented or escaped.
During
Threat recognition, defensive decision-making, use-of-force principles, innocent-person considerations, knowing when not to act, and making deliberate decisions under pressure.
After
Scene safety, contacting emergency services, interaction with responding law enforcement, avoiding mistaken identity, and understanding the responsibilities that continue after the threat has stopped.
“The firearm is a last-resort tool. The real skill is judgment.”
Colorado-Focused Training
Know more than how to pass the test.
Colorado firearm and concealed carry laws continue to evolve. Plain Sight training is built around Colorado requirements and the practical responsibilities that come with carrying a handgun here — not a generic national presentation with a few state-specific slides added.
- Colorado concealed handgun permit framework
- Firearm safety and responsible storage
- Carry restrictions and prohibited locations
- Transportation and vehicle considerations
- Colorado defensive-force principles
- Conflict avoidance and judgment
- Interaction with responding law enforcement
- Current Colorado firearm-law considerations
Colorado Initial CHP Course Requirements
Colorado CHP Foundations and Colorado CHP Experienced Shooter are both complete Colorado Initial CHP courses. Neither track is a shortcut, a reduced-hour option, or a prerequisite for the other.
8 HOURSMinimum in-person instruction
50+ ROUNDSMinimum live-fire exercise
80%Open-book written exam passing score
70%Minimum live-fire accuracy
Both tracks include required classroom instruction, firearm safety, handgun handling, ammunition, storage and child safety, shooting fundamentals, Colorado firearm and carry law, Colorado deadly-force/self-defense law, avoidance, de-escalation, conflict resolution, judgmental use of lethal force, defensive decision-making, interaction with responding law enforcement, an open-book written competency exam, and live fire. Course completion documents training; permit eligibility and issuance are determined by the appropriate Colorado sheriff.
More than a certificate.
Our goal is not simply to help students complete a requirement. Students should leave with a clearer understanding of their firearm, their responsibilities, and the decisions associated with carrying it.
- Safer, more confident handgun handling
- A practical understanding of Colorado concealed carry responsibilities
- Better awareness of where and when carry may be restricted
- Improved understanding of avoidance and de-escalation
- A framework for defensive decision-making
- Better preparation for interaction with law enforcement after an incident
- Clear next steps for applying for or renewing a Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP)
Questions before you register?
Whether you've never handled a handgun or have been shooting for decades, we're happy to help you determine which track best fits your needs.